Cardiff City Stadium

Cardiff City – the stadium in Cardiff, home to the Cardiff City football club and Cardiff Blues Rugby team. The stands have 26 828 seats for spectators. This is the second largest stadium in Wales after the Millennium.

General information

Official website: https://cardiffcitystadium.co.uk/

Arena capacity: initially – 27 000 spectators. After the construction of the “Ninian” stand – 33 000 spectators.

Address: Cardiff City Stadium, Leckwith Rd, Cardiff CF11 8AZ, UK

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 51 ° 28′22 ″ north latitude 3 ° 12′11 ″ west longitude / 51.472778 ° north latitude 3.203056 ° west longitude

Year of construction: 22 July 2009

Cost of construction: 48 million pounds

Field: hybrid lawn with dimensions of 104 x 66 m

Seating plan of the Cardiff City Stadium

After spending 99 years at their former Ninian Park ground, the Club in 2009, moved only a quarter of a mile away to the new stadium. Although with far superior facilities than Ninian Park, the design of the stadium itself was rather uninspiring (as admittedly most new stadiums built in this country are).

However in 2014, the Club after being awarded the hosting of the UEFA Super Cup Final, set upon increasing the capacity by 5,000 seats chiefly by expanding the Ninian Park Stand on one side. This stand was originally single tiered, but has since had a small second tier and then an overhanging third tier added, making it the tallest and largest stand at the stadium.

However, it’s most striking feature is its roof, which is simply huge, elevating and extending quite a distance forward to provide cover to those below. A little reminiscent of the East Stand at Elland Road, the Ninian Stand is far more attractive having more of a distinctive look with clear windshields to either side.

Located opposite is the Grandstand. Named after the corresponding stand at the old Ninian Park, this stand is two tiered, with a small second tier of seating that overlaps the back of the lower tier. In this area at the rear of the lower section there is a row of executive boxes.

Whilst at the back of the second tier there is visible a glassed frontage to and area used for corporate entertainment. The team dug outs are located at the front of this stand. Both ends are virtually identical, being single tiered, all seater affairs. The roofs above these stands are situated quite high above the seating areas, with a large back wall, part of which contains Perspex panels to provide more light to the playing surface.

The stadium is completely enclosed with all four corners having spectator seating. Above each end there is digital video screen. In view of its multi purpose nature the stadium has in each corner a large access tunnel.

Outside the stadium there are the entrance gates that once welcomed visiting players and officials to Ninian Park. Beside the gates is a plaque in remembrance of Scotland and Celtic Manager Jock Stein who passed away at Ninian Park shortly after a Wales v Scotland World Cup Qualifying game in 1985.

For the stadium buffs, then as you come off the A4232 and head towards the stadium then on your left you will pass the new Cardiff International Sports Stadium. This has a capacity of 5,000, with one covered seated stand that holds 2,613 spectators. Although chiefly the home of Welsh Athletics, the stadium is also used for football with Welsh League Two side Cardiff Bay Harlequins playing their home games there.

Away fans

Away fans are located in one corner of the stadium, between the Ninian & Grange stands. Up to 1,800 fans can be accommodated in this area. The Club operates automatic turnstiles, where you have to put your ticket (which has a barcode on it) into a slot reader, which then allows the turnstiles to admit you.

As you would expect from a new stadium the view of the playing action and facilities are good. The acoustics are also good, with the stadium having a loud p.a. system. The concourses are spacious, have televisions to keep you entertained and serve the usual fayre of food, including various Pies; Steak and Ale, Chicken Curry, Veggie (all £3.90), Hot Dogs (£4.30) and Cheeseburgers (£4.50).

The entrance to the away end as you are kept well out of harms way as home supporters are kept well separated. Inside the facilities are really good and clean. The concourse is of a good size and the food and drink kiosks plentiful, with little queuing time.  All the signs inside are written in both English and Welsh. Seats in one corner of the stadium give you great views of the game and the giant big screen behind means you can see replays of the goals.

Inside the stadium away fans are kept separate from home fans, by an area of ‘no mans land’ to each side. Whilst outside there is a fenced in compound, which is also used to accommodate the away coaches, but again keeps fans separated after the game has finished which should avoid most problems.

Since moving to the new stadium, then a visit to Cardiff is now normally a more enjoyable one that it was at Ninian Park. Even so I would still advise to be cautious around the stadium and the city centre and to keep colours covered.

Ticket Offices

The club’s official website would be the first place to begin if you’re hoping to buy some tickets to see The Bluebirds game. There is an interactive map of seats and stands that lets you find out how many tickets are still available for match as well as what their price is. You can also talk to the club’s ticket shop on their dedicated ticketing line or go to the box shop personally and ask them about the best seats which are available.

How to get there?

Since Cardiff is the capital and main city of Wales, it is much easier to get there and to the stadium than to other places. We list all the most common ways that you might want to use.

Railway Station

Cardiff Central Railway Station is Wales’ largest railway station. Its location is in the heart of the city just four kilometers from the Cardiff City Stadium and is easily accessible from Birmingham, London Paddington and the majority of stations in the South-West of England. The ground itself is about a ten minute walk from Grangetown Station, reachable through a connecting train from Cardiff Central.

Bus

In addition to multiple public buses that operate from the middle of the city out to the ground, there is also a shuttle bus that runs from Wood Street in the Cardiff center out to Cardiff City Stadium. They drive every ten minutes from two hours before kickoff and the return leg, which drives from the Fred Keenor statue and goes for up to an hour after the final of the game.

By car: parking and traffic jams

The M4 motorway runs through South Wales and connects Cardiff with London. You can get to various parts of the city via the roads connected with it, including the Cardiff City Arena.

It’s necessary to know that parking at Cardiff City Arena is restricted. Parking areas are mostly intended for Season Ticket Holders, with the remaining places available to serve those who came first. There are more options of parking spaces within short walking distance of the stadium.

By bike

On the territory of Cardiff City Stadium there is also free, safe and managed parking of cycles and mopeds.

Taxi

If it’s difficult for you to wait and ride buses or travel by trains, then you can call a taxi from Cardiff Central Railway Station to the stadium. It will take less than ten minutes and set you back about to £10. Do not forget that you can get into a traffic jam and then time will increase, just like the price.

By air

Cardiff Airport – the only international airport in Wales. It is located in the city of Ruz, 16 kilometers from the center of Cardiff, with which it is connected by regular bus and train connections.

By foot

It’s not hard to walk to Cardiff City Arena, with footpaths and direct routes from the majority of districts in the city. To walk from the center of Cardiff to the ground will take about half an hour. You have to head south west of the Principality Stadium in the direction of the Riverside area of the town, then move according to signs to the Stadium.

Important! Spectators are recommended to think of their own security on the way to the Stadium, in particular during evening matches or when visibility is decreased. Always watch and remember about traffic next to you and consider your way home when leaving after the game finished.

Cardiff City Field

Cardiff City Stadium is home base to Cardiff City football team – the most popular football club of Wales, as well as for Cardiff City Academy (youth football), Cardiff Blues (rugby union) and national football team. Therefore, we could assume that the arena has a fairly busy schedule.

According to the fact that the playing field is covered with Desso GrassMaster hybrid grass, it is not afraid of even the most exhausting matches. The 100 % natural grass surface is combined with 20 million artificial fibers, providing a steady and flat playing surface in all cases.

Facilities

Having been open for less than a decade, it’s fair to say that Cardiff City Stadium’s facilities are excellent in comparison to a number of other grounds in the UK. The concourses are wide and clean with numerous places to buy food and drink before the match.

Hospitality

Vincent Tan, Cardiff City’s owner, knows what it takes to earn money both from and for his football club. For that reason the hospitality options at Cardiff City Stadium are numerous and extensive. Designed to meet the needs of business owners who are entertaining clients, companies that wish to reward their stuff or even just Bluebird fans who want to spoil themselves, you’re sure to have a great day in one of the hospitality lounges. Here are details of some of your options:

• Sony Suite. Recently refurbished to feature products by the company it’s named after, The Sony Suite promises a fusion of football and fun for its visitors. You’ll get a pre-match buffet, access to a pay bar and balcony seating directly outside the lounge.
• The Captains Lounge. Adorned with pictures of Cardiff’s most iconic captains through the club’s history, your VIP experience here includes a three-course meal, free drink on arrival, a pre-match appearance from a first team player and hosting by two club legends. You’ll also enjoy half-time refreshments, a pay bar facility and padded seats right on the halfway line.
• New predictions for soccer, tennis, hockey, basketball, etc. are created every hour.
• Match Day Box. The ultimate experience in privacy, a match day box will offer you a private, glass-fronted suite for up to ten guests, Diamond level seating that you’ll have direct access to, privately served food and a selection of fine wines available for purchase.

Private hire

The club has a number of spaces available to hire out for private events. From the Ricoh Suite that can host up to 600 people down to executive boxes that are ideal for breakout meetings, there is unlikely to be an event you’d like to hold that the club won’t be able to cater for.

Pubs next to the Stadium

Most pubs in close vicinity of the stadium and Ninian Park Halt Station are for home fans only and should be avoided. One exception is the Lansdowne on Lansdowne Road, which normally has a mix of home and away supporters. Another suggestion that I have received is the Gol Centre on Lawrenny Avenue (off Leckwith Road, See Google Map below) which has amongst other facilities a bar. There is a 5-a-side centre located about an eight minute walk from Cardiff City Stadium.

You will be charged £5 to park at the centre but this is returned to customers in the form of a bar voucher which can be used against purchases of Hot Dogs, alcoholic and soft drinks, tea and coffee and confectionery. Plus further along Lawrenny Avenue is the Canton Rugby Football Club, which has a bar, large screen television showing Sky Sports and also offers free parking.

Otherwise it is probably best to drink in the city centre and then go on up to the stadium. Alcohol is also available inside the ground in the form of Fosters Lager, John Smith’s Bitter and Strongbow Cider (all £4.30 a pint). Wine is available costing £4.30 for a small bottle. The Club also offers Heineken alcohol-free lager at £3 a can.

You can also get a ‘Pie and a Pint’ for £7 up until kick off. They have a policy of only allowing one person to buy a maximum of four alcoholic drinks at a time. They do though accept card payments.

Stadium infrastructure

The clearing of the future arena territory began at the beginning of 2007, the athletics stadium was destroyed in the summer, and the construction of the stands started in the autumn. The opening was planned for Christmas 2008, but, as is usually the case during the erection process, the dates have shifted a little bit, and the Cardiff City Arena was prepared by May 2009. All this pleasure had a price of 48 million pounds, and the receiving capacity of the arena was 26 828 places.

The first official match took place here on August 8, Cardiff City won Scunthorpe with the score 4:0.

At the beginning of the season 2013/2014, with the release of “Cardiff” in the Premier League, the capacity of the seats was a bit increased to 28 000. A project was developed, according to which the Cardiff City Stadium would hold 38 000 spectators.

In the summer of 2014, another small reconstruction took place, which increased the Ninian Stand and, accordingly, the entire stadium to 33 500 seats.

History

Opening in 2009 as a replacement for the club’s former ground, Ninian Park, Cardiff City Stadium doesn’t have a huge amount of history of its own to speak of. Most of the stories surrounding the ground are more to do with the difficulties encountered when trying to build it than in the games that have taken place on the pitch.

Considering that permission for a new stadium was initially granted in January of 2002 yet ground wasn’t broken for its construction until September 2007, it’s fair to say there’s an interesting tale to be told in there somewhere!

The history of Cardiff City Stadium is yet to be written, with both the city’s main football club and the Wales national team using it as their base of operations. It was the home of Cardiff Blues rugby union team for a time and also hosted the 2011 Amlin Challenge Cup Final between Harlequins and Stade Francais. It has also hosted concerts by the Welsh band Stereophonics and Bon Jovi, amongst others.